Common Equine Dental Problems

Here’s how to recognize dental malformations and abnormal wear patterns in horses.

By Christine Barakat

When
your veterinarian begins describing your horse’s oral anatomy--or what
might be abnormal about it--you may feel as if you need an interpreter.
Sure, some terms such as “overbite” and “underbite” correspond roughly
with those in human dentistry and are easy enough to understand. But
visualizing a “wave mouth” or a “step mouth” can be difficult. Even if
your veterinarian helps you peer into your horse’s mouth, it can be
tricky to recognize bite or wear abnormalities, particularly when they
affect the teeth in the farthest reaches of the mouth. To help you
become a better partner in your horse’s care, we’ve illustrated the
most common equine dental abnormalities. If you review them now, the
next time your veterinarian visits for a dental exam, you’ll know
exactly what he’s talking about.

MalocclusionsMalocclusions
that stem from jaw conformation are nearly always present at birth but
are not necessarily inherited. Minor malformations may have no effect
on a horse’s immediate ability to eat, but all misalignments eventually
affect the wear pattern on other teeth, making regular dental care
essential.

An overbite (parrot mouth, brachygnathism) is a congenital deformity in which the upper incisors overlap the lower incisors.

An underbite (monkey mouth, sow mouth, prognathism) is a deformity in which the lower incisors extend beyond the upper incisors.

A diagonal bite may result from a malocclusion or pain in the cheek teeth that causes a horse to grind feed primarily in one direction.

Abnormal Wear PatternsThe following dental problems and abnormal wear patterns require the attention of a veterinarian.

Hooks--sharp
protrusions that develop on teeth when an overbite, underbite or other
dental deformity causes an imperfect meeting of the top and bottom
arcades. Most common on the upper first cheek tooth and lower last
molar.

Ramps--typically
premolars with a surface that slopes like a ski jump. Ramps can cut or
scrape the tongue or cheek, especially when a horse is bitted.

Step mouth--a
cheek teeth row with one molar that has grown unopposed so it juts
above the rest of the arcade. A gap in the opposite molar lineup
usually initiates the abnormality.

Wave mouth--a
severely restricting abnormality that occurs when two or more teeth in
an arcade are high, creating a series of ascending and declining
grinding surfaces.

Shear mouth--a
dental configuration in which the molars’ grinding surfaces are worn at
a sharp 60- to 75-degree angle. Normally, the angle is 15 degrees.

This article originally appeared in the November 2006 issue of EQUUS magazine.

How to Cool an Overheated Horse

Cooling out your horse
after a hard workout is a very important part of horse ownership. This
article will teach you how to cool an overheated horse in the summer
and in the winter, as the proper way to cool out a horse varies with
the seasons.

In the summer: After a long summer ride,
your horse may be breathing heavy and sweating profusely. Take the time
to end your ride with 5-10 minutes of walking to let the horse begin to
catch their breath.

Beginning September
1, 2009, all large animal veterinarians in the state of Texas
will have a lien on treated animals to secure payment of vet bills. This lien
will be effective both before and after the animal is released to the owner.